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Clearing the ground before pouring concrete is the most time-consuming and difficult part of the job. In order to avoid problems with the concrete down the road, it is important to establish a clean, level base for the concrete before your pour. This includes removing rocks and organic matter such as leaves, grass, twigs, plants and tree roots from the pouring area.

What About the Roots?

If you miss a few tiny weed roots when you are preparing your soil, it will likely not be a problem. If you see the roots and can pull them out of the ground easily, do so. However, it is not necessary to dig a foot-deep hole in your pouring area to get that last bit of dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) root. Roots from trees and shrubs should definitely be removed, however. Sever tree roots that stick out over the soil with an ax or a saw. Leaving the roots will weaken the concrete slab, and if the root continues to grow, it will likely crack or go through your slab.

About the Author

Jill Kokemuller has been writing since 2010, with work published in the "Daily Gate City." She spent six years working in a private boarding school, where her focus was English, algebra and geometry. Kokemuller is an authorized substitute teacher and holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Iowa.

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Kokemuller, Jill. "Do You Have to Get Up All the Roots When Clearing for Concrete?" Home Guides | SF Gate, http://homeguides.sfgate.com/up-roots-clearing-concrete-89656.html. Accessed 25 May 2019.

Kokemuller, Jill. (n.d.). Do You Have to Get Up All the Roots When Clearing for Concrete? Home Guides | SF Gate. Retrieved from http://homeguides.sfgate.com/up-roots-clearing-concrete-89656.html

Kokemuller, Jill. "Do You Have to Get Up All the Roots When Clearing for Concrete?" accessed May 25, 2019. http://homeguides.sfgate.com/up-roots-clearing-concrete-89656.html

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